my tensioner **** the bed and destroyed my motor. ten grand later its almost back on the road.... they reccomend it for a reason!

 

Also remember with ANY belt it is every 60K OR 60MONTHS whichever comes first! Rubber ages and even a 20K mile car that is an 03 or 04 should have a new t-belt installed. Again like I stated in a previous post, dont be such a cheap *** as to ruin your car and cost you alot more in the future. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I also recommend a kevlar belt for anyone who is running agressive cams and springs plus higher rev limits. I will still change my kevlar belt at the same intervals though.

Later

 

On my car at 60K, with a both a new timing belt and the old timing belt in hand, except for the writing worn off the old belt, there was no visible difference. The two idlers for the accessory belt both had a little play but the bearings were smooth. The accessory belt itself was losing its ridges on the inside. They were coming off in chunks. The water pump was perfect, again nothing to distinguish it from the new one I had. The bbelt looked a little worn but not in a condition that looked to me to be imminent failure. The tensioner – I didn't check it out, I just replaced it. The only problems I could see at 60K were the tensioner pulley for the bbelt slinging grease and the tension on the bbelt was a little slack.

So, in conclusion, I didn't find anything that looked to be the sort of problem that would leave me sitting by the side of the road anytime soon. How many more mile I could have gone before I blew up – no idea. However, I am pleased I took the time to go through things when I did. Now, everything is back to new condition and not a worry.

 

when you take off a belt is when you can truly know the condition. you cannot go by the backside of it. i had an Evo come in not too long ago with 65k and the teeth on the belt were ready to come off. he just made it.

yes every car is different but be a good Evo owner and follow maint schedule. you will cry when your engine is junk and you wish you spent the $600ish to do it

 

in your owners manual it has what should be done and when.. timing belt and bal. shaft belt at 60k..the book says that you can get by with not changing the TB tensioner..but anyone with some DSM years under them, know to change that too. it calls for a water pump change and a couple of pullies to be changed too..I did not have any issues with the pullies, but I did do the water pump.
On a side note to you guys that are over 60k..will it last over that yes sometimes, however I have seen them go at under 60k. When they let go you are BONED. Take the hit in the wallet or take it in that ****

 

Do it now, or regret it later.